Ok I'm getting everything in order to set up my new car audio. I'm purchasing the JL VR65CSi components (I know they're not the top of the line XR, oh well). I really want them to sound good so I've decided to purchase the 300/4 Amp from JL. Does anyone have any experience or opinions on that amp, I went to price it and well, to say the least was pricey. I want to make sure I'm getting a decent amp.

Thanks
Ryan

 

You will love the 300/4. Don't let the price sacre you away because it is really a good amp.
I have the 500/1 and 300/4 and love the way it sounds. belive or not the XR and the VR aren't that different. The major difference is the tweeter. The Vr has a softer silk dome and the XR has the titanium dome tweeter. I have the XR but like the VR as well. Good luck.

 

jl amps are worth every penny

 

HAd em for a few weeks on dealer accomidation directly from JL. GAVE them away soon after installation. Definately not the cleanest of amps. And IMO Not worth the money.

--Don

 

Pearl: What do you think of the JL 450/4?

 

Honestly....I dont like anything in the JL line up. As far amps are concerned mainly. The subs are decent players for the SPL enthusiasts, their components arent up to par with many competitors with simliar prices. Like most other companies they built a name for themselves on a good quality product, now they are more or less just riding that name to the bank. Im also not to fond of companies that cant design/produce their own products.

I do still carry JL for the simple reason that they sell to the general consumers. Not to be mislead at all, I dont "hate" them, just stating that better/comparible products can be had for equal or less money.

--Don

 

they are big current drainers, and they arent clean...they also have problems with their power supplies, they cause FM interference.

 

my buddy just installed his w3v2 12's with his 500/1 and so far nice and clean... but ive only been in the car for a minute or two. if i had more time id really like to audition the system.

 

I agree they do have problems with interference with FM but I DON"T agree with the fact people say they arent clean amps. I have two jl amps and jl separates and subs and my system is as clean as they get without getting into zapco or tube amps. They provide tons of power don't heat up.

 

Whats this FM interference?

From my understanding JL subs are great for SQ enthusiats not SPL.

 

What are you comparing them to then?

--Don

BTW when I removed mine they were temporarily replaced by Phoenix Gold 600Ti and 500Ti. Night and day difference in both SQ and power. Current draw was also significantly lower. Considering the PGs were A/B amps that doesnt help the case against JL.

 

What's your take on the following brands?

Phoenix Gold
Crossfire
Zapco
Soundstream
Xtant
a/d/s

 

Phoenix Gold = overall great
Crossfire = never dealt with them
Zapco = great
Soundstream = great
Xtant = good
a/d/s = great

 

Pretty much agreed with Eric/friendhasmax. Crossfire Ihave dealt with, but not for awhile. Pretty much a mainstream amp.

--Don

 

^^^Ok so whats your take on Arc Audio amps? Are they clean, are they efficient???

 

 

Arc Audio sucks. It's all about Alpine baby

 

I have heard a lot of different systems from Memphis, Audiobahn, MTX, Xtant, P Gold and I can honestly say that JL holds its own with any of these. Yes most of the amps and subs I can compare them too are commercial but that is where audio has gone so it is difficult to find a true great sounding system with good quality product like the OLD P Gold stuff. I was going to do my whole system with ADS product but the rep for the company didn't think their new stuff was anythign to write home about. I also had MB Quart in my old max and swtched when I bought my Lex. The MB's were awesome mid bass but a little to sharp on the high end. These are all just my opinions remember. I listened to a kid that had a Zapco amp, an IDMAX Infinite baffler sub and a set of Dyn Audio separates and it sounded like dogmeat. So for the record I can strongly stand behind my JL against most systems.
Oh I did have a chance to listen to this guys ADS system about 5 years ago and it was part of an elite class. It sounded truly amazing.

 

What about Brax?

 

Bud, a good system is mostly attributed to the quality of the intall......

Its not that a JL setup wont sound good.....Its that their amps aren't as effiecient as many amps are to this day - they are as efficient as Hifonics amps
and old Kicker ZR amps(mid 90's)- extreme power hogs- so for the $$$ you are not getting good technology

Another annoyance with JL is that you get very little for what you pay- their power doesn't increase as most amplifiers do(double/triple) at lower impedances-
it stays the same- so 'flexibility' is not all there

BTW JL Audio doesn't deserve to be mentioned with Zapco or other Robert Zeff designs/products

 

Sorry "Bud" I am not worthy then huh? Come look at my install then tell me what I already know. This is why I stopped coming to this website because of know it alls like yourself. We were having a nice conversation about our "opinions" and you get all "bud, the install is everything. Well I already understand that and we weren't discussing install so your point is not valid. Mr Zapco you are my hero.

 

Sorry but you began on a rant comparing apples and oranges.....My point was that a Zapco/ID Max/Dyn Audio setup sounding like "dogmeat" to you-could be due to ****ty intall/tuning

It was not my intention to offend you.....I'm quite sure your system sounds kick a ss to you- all that matters right 'Bud'

 

is it just me? or is JL on its way to becoming the next Audiobahn? lol

 

its not just you....they just didnt catch up with the "prettyness".

 

Listened to Eclipse components and a jl12w6 powered by JL amps... It sounded f*cking incredible! I guess maybe I need to hear some of this stuff you guys are talking about.

Pearl, what did/would you put in your car?

 

^^^He runs the real deal for amplification....

 

my only experience with Soundstream is the Van Gogh 500/4 and the 320/4

I am on my second 320/4 because the first one stopped working.

The second one never worked...from day one. I don't think I'm going to bother sending it back, it's just going to go in the dumpster.

I am going to power my SE-R with my old Alpine 3527S instead. It's 11 years old, and its running my Diamond M6 6.5 component sets pretty well (front and back)

I wonder if my experience with soundstream has been tainted because I bought them online? US Car Audio sold them to me, at a real good price...to good to be true? perhaps...


Maybe I'll contact Soundstream and see what they say, instead of going through US Car Audio.

-vq

 

Diamond makes some good amps....

-vq

 

Soundstream should only be bought through an authorized dealer....online stores are good for selling refurbs as new and you automatically lose companies full warranty

 

If you can find one, old school ESX q120.4 is a solid amp @ 120x4.

 

Currently.

Stock Navi unit>
Arc Audio DXE>
Arc Audio 4150XXK>
Rainbow Pro Vanadiums with Kickbass
Arc Audio 2500>
Diamond Audio TDX 12s

I have tried tons of others out there as my reps all want me to push their products.

Ive been through the full line of DA, as well as Eclipse and PG. Tried the JL amps, after three weeks I GAVE them away.Within the past two years Ive changed setups approx 7 times. Mainly due to the reps pushing me into different things and presenting with very nice accomidation prices. I am the happiest with my current setup, but will most likely change again. Although I will be sticking with Arc for amplification...

--Don

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Arc on the high end side of the fence?

 

Yea a little bit....

The KAR series is more for the typical buyer, but yes the XXK/CXL is the generally higher priced, better product as compared to most.

--Don

 

I haven't had any complaints about my system from anyone. Not only is the SQ excellent, but it's feels like your teeth are about to fall right out of your mouth when the bass hits. I have never ever had my system cut out from overheating. Not even once & I have driven from the high desert in CA. to Scottsdale AZ. with the radio at full volume for about 90% of the drive. I would have no problem putting my system up against those guy's who think you need thousands of watts to be loud & clear. Most people can't beleive it when I tell them the amount of power I'm working with. Only thing I wish I had the option of doing was designating the speaker locations instead of using the factory spot's. Speaker location has more to do with how good a stereo system sounds then just using high dollar equiptment. I remeber reading an article in I think it was Auto sound & security magazine about a gentleman who was challenged to use the cheapest equiptment possible & make it sound the best it can. Anyway, this guy had a total of like $300 or $400 dollars invested & he ended up winning some major sound off compition. It turned out the guy was some kind of genius when it came to understanding the wave lenth of frequencies.

MY SYSTEM
Eclipse HU model #5443
JL Audio 6-1/2" XR components (doors & rear deck)
1 JL Audio W12v6 (JL spec slot port box)
PPI 5440 5-channel amp (35x4 + 200x1 @ 4ohms)
Total cost of my system excluding wiring.
HU = $150.00 (adapters & dash kit included).
JL Component speakers = $200.00 (for 2 pairs)
JL W12v6 = $225.00 ( $40 for box, I built the box)
PPI amp = Traded an old Willie Mays for it valued around $50 bucks.
My really good friend works at a local high end audio store so I scored on the HU & the JL speakers. Other then that I think based on the SQ & the quality of the equiptment I purchased I couldn't have done any better as far as price is concerned.

 

Those ARC amps you mentioned...they would suit my setup perfectly. I do however want to upgrade my comps to the Rainbow Pro Vanadiums with Kickbass (very nice choice btw ) Those are about as high as id be willing to go without getting into a idiotic price range. The Platinum line would be great, but I just will not pay that much for comps...yet alone the Reference line

One thing that I just wouldnt change is my sub. I absolutly LOVE the Adire Brahma. You want retared loud, port it. You want ungodly SQ, seal it. Simple as that.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever "played" with any of Adire Audio's line of products? Im not saying the TDX is a bad choice, but you know better could be had for the $.

 

ARC is nice, but to do it all over I would drop the movey on the Zap C2K line. Their regulated PS is the best, makes full power with as little as 11V or so. They really are the king of street amps right now. Only bad thing is the price...man I need to hit the powerball!

BTW I really don't like my 2 B12s sealed setup...almost the same output as my 1 12 ported...and the SQ isn't as improved as you might think. Might have something to do with all those rattles! Anyway 2 12s ported coming up...construction begins next week.

 

wow 2 brahma 12's ported... insane man!

 

I noticed that a lot of companies like Arc don't carry a 4 channel that can do over 85x4 at 4ohms. Is there not much of a demand for 100+x4 because most people opt for 2 or 3 amp setups?

 

I hear ya on the price ranges of the Platinum and Reference series..Even with the prices that Arc gives me for my car (50% off of Dealer sheet) I still wasnt about to go up that high.

I have played with a few and contacted Adire about a year ago to sign up with them. The drawback was their profit margins were Extremely minimal. Somewhere in the 15-18% range, unless buying super large amounts. In which case I wasnt about to invest $4-5K to be able to jump up to Maybe a 25-28% PM.

As far as the TDXs, they were purchased on Dealer Accomidation through DA (35% off Dealer sheet). At the time I was also running DA HEXs. I do also have a Orion H@ and a Fusion Jonah Lomu 12 layin in the garage both waiting for boxes to built to try out. But as usual noone pays me to work on my own car, so they just sit and collect dust.

My goal now with the ProVanadiums is to run the soley off of the 4150XXK actively via the Arc DXE and order a 2050XXK to run my rears (for fill).

If your ever ready to try out the amps or go for the ProVanadiums gimme a shout, I might be able to help out a bit on them.....

--Don

 

The Arc XXK/CXL line was designed by Robert Zeff. Not much of a difference when comparing the two...

--Don